Group Sizes

Up to 30 students: Our standard excursion has a maximum group size of 30 students. An excursion to Warragamba Dam includes a range of hands-on activities, with classes split into smaller groups to ensure a safe and quality learning experience.

30 to 60 students: Requiring two WaterNSW educators, there are limited dates available throughout the year for groups of this size. Alternatively we may be able to offer you multiple dates so that your school can visit us in smaller groups over several days. Alternatively you may consider a joint excursion.

More than 60 students: If you wish to visit Warragamba Dam with more than 60 students, we may be able to offer you multiple dates so that your school can visit us in smaller groups over several days. Alternatively you may consider a joint excursion.

Supervising adult requirements

Warragamba Dam is an operational dam site. In order to comply with WaterNSW safety requirements and to adhere to NSW DEC recommended supervision ratios, we require that the following minimum adult to student ratio be met with a combination of school staff and parent helpers.

Early Stage 1 to Stage 2

1 adult to 10 students - Parents are welcome to attend

Stage 3 to Stage 6

1 adult to 15 students

This is in addition to the WaterNSW educator.

Joint excursions

WaterNSW also delivers excursions in partnership with Penrith Lakes Environmental Education Centre and Sydney Water and these can be coordinated by WaterNSW.

These excursions allow for a maximum of 120 students per day, with the group being split in half, alternating between the two sites morning and afternoon.

Sydney Water joint excursions - Stage Six

Students will visit the Sydney Water Orchard Hills water filtration plant, learning about the system used to supply, treat and monitor water in greater Sydney, the Illawarra and the Blue Mountains.

Group 1

Activity

Group 2

Activity

9:30am – 11:30am

Sydney Water Orchard Hills Water Filtration plant. Students go behind the scenes and see firsthand the operations and technology used in the treatment process and learn about the practical application of chemistry in an industrial setting.

9 :30am – 11:30am

At Warragamba Dam, students will monitor live remote sensing of water quality in Lake Burragorang, Sydney’s largest water source and catchment. Students will conduct turbidity tests on different samples and gain an understanding of water monitoring and environmental planning and management to eliminate potential sources of contamination.

11:30am – 12:00pm

Depart Sydney Water and head straight to Warragamba Dam

11:30am – 12:00pm

Lunch at Warragamba Dam

12:00pm – 12:30pm

Lunch at Warragamba Dam

12:00pm -12:30pm

Depart Warragamba Dam and head to Sydney Water

12:30pm – 2:30pm

At Warragamba Dam, students will monitor live remote sensing of water quality in Lake Burragorang, Sydney’s largest water source and catchment. Students will conduct turbidity tests on different samples and gain an understanding of water monitoring and environmental planning and management to eliminate potential sources of contamination.

12.15pm – 2.30pm

Sydney Water Orchard Hills Water Filtration Plant Filtration plant. Students go behind the scenes and see firsthand the operations and technology used in the treatment process and learn about the practical application of chemistry in an industrial setting.

Penrith Lakes Environmental Education Centre (PLEEC) provides engaging programs, which support students in achieving syllabus outcomes as well as in appreciating their application in the ‘real world context’.

Terms and Conditions

Dates offered to schools will be held as a tentative booking for a maximum of 10 business days awaiting confirmation from the school.

All groups are required to complete a booking confirmation form (this form will be emailed to you upon confirmation of your booking from the WaterNSW education team) and return it to education.mail@waternsw.com.au prior to their excursions to Warragamba Dam.

Should you need to cancel your excursion, please let our education team know as soon as possible at education.mail@waternsw.com.au or phone the Warragamba Dam visitor Centre on (02) 4774 4433.

We may need to cancel your excursion at short notice due to operational requirements, wet weather or total fire bans. We will contact you at the earliest opportunity should cancellation be necessary.

All participants must wear sturdy, fully enclosed, flat soled shoes (no open shoes such as sandals, thongs or ballet flats). Participants must also bring a water bottle, a hat and sunscreen. The guided visit of the dam is outdoors with very little shade.

Teachers and parent helpers will need to participate in a site safety induction prior to the excursion commencing. All teachers and parent helpers are expected to read the WaterNSW School Excursion Risk Management document prior to arriving on site.

Attending teachers and parent helpers must supervise students at all times and exercise duty of care throughout the duration of the excursion.

Warragamba Dam is an operational dam site, therefore we may need to amend or cancel access to the guided visit of the dam component of the excursion based on operational requirements on the day.